Flow valve



y 1941- c. s. CRICKMER ETAL. v 2, 43,308

FLOW VALVE Filed Nov. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l Charles S. Crickmer (fif, 1, I Hans C. Ghisch May 27, 1941- c. s. CRICKMER ETAL FLOW VALVEFiled Nov. 8, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Suva/144L014! Charles 5. CrickmerHans C. Glitsch Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICECharles -S. Crickmer and Hans O. Glitsch, Dallas,

Ten, assignors to Merla Tool Company, Dallas,

Tex a firm of Texas Application November 8, 1937, SerialNo. 173,305

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvemehts in flow valves.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved valve-forcontrolling the admission of sion of lifting fluid to the well tubing,said means having one side exposed to the lifting fluid pressure and itsopposite side exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, whereby saidmeans is operated by the differential in said pressures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved flow devicehaving a pressure responsive means connected to an inlet valve, thepressure responsive means having a larger crosssectional area than theinlet valve and being exposed to the well liquid, while the inlet valveis exposed to the lifting fluidpwhereby the valve is opened when thepressure of the well liquid reaches a predetermined proportion of thepressure of the lifting fluid; the greater pressure of the lifting fluidtending to keep the valve closed to prevent leakage, whereby said valvecannot be opened until the well liquid exceeds a predetermined pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pressureresponsive means for controlling the admission of a lifting fluid into awell tubing to lift the liquid, the pressure resp'onsive meansconsisting of a diaphragm or a sealed bellows which is substantiallyfrictionless in operation, whereby the use of a piston, together withits inherent disadvantages, is elimlnated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved flowdevice having a movable 'control valve which is connected to a pressureresponsive means, the connection being such that a movement of thepressure responsive means in one direction moves the valve in theopposite direction, and vice versa.

A construction designed to carry out the in Figure 1 is a view, partlyin elevation and partly in section, showing a plurality of flow valves,constructed in accordance with the invention connected in a well tubing,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken through theflow valve and showing the same in its closed position,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the valve in its open position,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectionalview taken on the line 4-4 ofFigure 2,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 ofFigure 2,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-8 ofFigure-2,

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another form of theinventionin its closed position,

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the valve in its open position,

Figure 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-9 ofFigure 7,

Figure 10 is a similar view taken on the line Ill-l 0 of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a similar view taken on the line |Ill of Figure 'l, and

Figure 12 is a similar view taken on the line i2-l2 of Figure I.

Referenceis made to our co-pending application filed April 26, 1937,Serial No. 138,920; which application, while relating to the samesubject matter, discloses a different and separate invention.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a well casing which isprovided with the conventional casing head II at its upper end. The welltubing I 2 extends axially through the well casing in the usual mannerand a plurality of flow valves A are connected therein at predeterminedpoints. A lifting fluid such as gas or air is admitted to the wellcasing through an inlet pipe I! which connects into the casing head IIand obviously, said lifting fluid fills the annular space between thecasing and the tubing. Each flow valve assembly is arranged to admit thelifting fluid from the annular space into the tubing in order to liftthe well liquid which rises in said tubing. The position of the valves.in the tubing is, of course, dependent upon the particular conditions ofthe well. I

Each valve assembly A includes an elongate tubular body I 4 which hasits upper end internally threaded at l5, whereby it may be connectedinto the tubing string. The lower end of the body It is provided withexternal screw threads l6 to receive the upper end of a section of thetubing l2. A radially extending boss I1 is .formed within the boss abovethe bore' l3 and this recess communicates through a radial port 26 withthe interior of the body l4 and, therefore, with the interior of thewell tubing l2. A similar boss 2| is provided near the lower end of thebody l4, said boss being located in vertical alinement with the boss 11and having a vertical opening 22 which is substantially the samediameter as the bore 13.

An elongate sleeve 23 is confined between the bosses l1 and 2| and maybe made in two sections B and C. The section B of the sleeve 23 has itsupper end screw-threaded into the bore l3 of the boss l1 and when soconnected, terminates in horizontal alinement with the bottom of theport 23. The lower end of the section Bis formed with a reducedexternally screw-threaded nipple 24, on which the section C is threaded.The section C of the sleeve 23 is inserted into the opening 22 in thelower boss l1 and preferably has a snug fit therein. It is noted thatthe sleeve 23 could be made in one section, but for the purposes ofassembly, it is desirable to make the two sections separate.

The sleeve 23 is formed with an axial bore 25 which extendstherethrough. The upper end of the bore 25 is reduced and a transversepartition 21 extends across the bore near the lower end thereof. Thatportion of the bore above the partition forms a chamber 26. The bore isreduced at 25 below the partition 21, as is clearly shown in Figure 2.The partition has an axial opening 2.6 which is of a less diameter thanthe reduced lower end 25' of the bore 25, and an internal shoulder orvalve seat 23 is thereby formed by the bottom of the partition.

A metallic cage 33 is disposed within the chamber 26 and is providedwith a plurality of radial arms 3| which are bent downwardly and havetheir lower ends secured to, or made integral with, a transverse spider32. The arms 3| of the cage 30 extend through slots or recesses 33'provided in the peripheral edge portion of a, stationary disk 33 whichis transversely disposed and secured within the vertical, centralportion of the chamber 26, whereby the cage 33 may move verticallywithin said chamber arid be guided by the engagement of its arms 3|within said slots 33'. It is noted that the periphery of the disk isclamped between the end of the nipple 24 of the section B and aninternal shoulder provided within the upper portion of the section 0. Aflexible bellows 34 is mounted within and confined by the cage 36 andhas its lower end secured to the transverse disk 33, so that a sealbetween these parts is formed.

The spider 32 is provided with a depending, axially-disposed collar 35,'which is adapted to receive the upper end of a valve stem 36. The lowerend of the valve stem 36 extends through the opening 28 in the partition21 and is secured to a valve head 31 which is slidable vertically withinthe reduced lower end 25 of the bore 25. The valve head 31 is providedwith a conical face 38 at its upper end, which face is arranged toengage the shoulder or seat surrounding the opening 28. A plurality ofvertical grooves or channels 39 are formed on the periphery of the valvehead 31 so that when said head is in its lowered position, as shown inFigure 3, the lifting fluid within the well casing may enter the lowerreduced end 25' of the bore, from where it may n w upwardly through theopening 26 and intothe chamber 26 of the sleeve 23. Of course, when tthe valve head 31 is engaging the shoulder 23, a

flow ot the lifting fluid into the chamber is prevented. A split ring 40is inserted in an annular recess or groove 4| below the valve head,whereby said valve head 31 is retained within said bore when there is nopressure, or insufiicient pressure, within the well casing to hold saidvalve head in its raised or closed position.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 2, with theannular space between the well casing l0 and the tubing l2 filled withthe lifting fluid, such as gas or air, and with no well liquid withinthe tubing l2, it is obvious that the lifting fluid will act upon thecross-sectional area of the valve head 31, to hold the valve stem 36 andthe cage 30 in their raised positions and the bellows 34 in its naturalor expanded position. The parts will remain in this position until suchtime as the well liquid builds up in the tubing to a, point above theport 23. The pressure of this liquid within the tubing is, of course,exerted upon the upper end of the bellows 34 through the port 23 andrecess l9. Since the cross-sectional area of the bellows 34 is greaterthan the cross-sectional area of the valve head 31, it is manifest thatwhen the liquid within the tubing builds up to a predeterminedproportion of the pressure of the lifting fluid, said liquid will tendto move the bellows 34, case 36, valve stem 36 and valve head 31downwardly. Therefore, if the pressure of the lifting fluid within thewell casing is 200 pounds, the cross-sectional areas of the bellows 34and valve head 31 may be of such size that a 75-pound pressure of thewell liquid within the tubing l2 will start the valve head 31downwardly. It is not necessary for the well liquid to build up apressure in excess of the pressure of j the lifting fluid but byproperly arranging the areas, any desired pressure of the liquid mayopen the valve.

When the pressure of the liquid within the tubing reaches apredetermined proportion of the pressure of the lifting fluid, theconical face 33 of the valve head 31 is moved away from the shoulder 23,as has been explained. When this occurs the lifting fluid from withinthe casing will flow upwardly through the vertical grooves 39 in theperiphery of the head 31', into the chamber 26, upwardly through theopenings in the spider 32 and the openings 33' in the disk 33,

after which it will flow through the upper end 1 of the bore 25 andrecess l9, and finally into the well tubing through the port 20. Thisadmitted lifting fluid will, of course, lift the well liquid within thetubing.

Since the lifting fluid is flowing through the sleeve 23, it will beobvious that the velocity of the fiow of this fluid will act on thevalve head 31 and will tend to raise it upwardly. As soon as the load ofthe liquid column is lightened due to the admission of the liftingfluid, the pressure above the bellows 34 is reduced which changes thedifferential across the bellows and the valve head. Since the pressureof the lifting fluid is constant in the well casing, said lifting fluidacting against the cross-sectional area of the spider 32 and the head 31will move the bellows and head to their raisedpositions. This movementwill, of course, be assisted by the velocity of the fiuid flowingthrough the bore of .a,a4s,sos the sleeve is for, naturally, as the loadislightened the velocity or flow through said bore will be increased. Asthe bellows It and cage 3| move to their upper position, the face OI oithe head 31 again engages the shoulder to cut oil the flow oi thelifting fluid.- The parts remain in this position until such time as theliquid again builds up a suflicient pressure to move the partsdownwardly.

In Figures 7 to 12, another form of the inven- 7 tion is shown. Inthisiorm the tubular body It is connectedin the tubing string l2,asinFigure reduced lower end of the bore below the shoul- 1, and isprovidedwith an upper bossi'l' and a l1 and 2| by screws 44 and 45,which are threaded through the bosses.

A radially extending, externally screwthreaded nipple 49, having anaxial bore 50, is formed on one side of the sleeve and said nipple isthreaded into the screw-threaded port 43 of the projection 42 to securethe sleeve to the tubular body H. the nipple 49 communicates with theinterior of the sleeve 48, whereby when said nipple is threaded into theprojection 42 communication is established between the interiors of thetubular body I 4 and the sleeve 40.

The sleeve is formed of four sections, although it may be made in onesection if desired. An elongated cylinder 5| comprises the major portionof the sleeve, and said cylinder is provided with an axial bore 52 whichextends throughout its vertical length. The cylinder forms the centralsection of the sleeve and has its bore 52 communicating through the boreof the nipple H with the body ll. The upper end of the cylinder 5| isscrew-threaded into the lower end of a collar 53, which in turn has itsupper end closed by a recessed cap member 54 threaded into said upperend.

A bevelled recess or chamber is provided in the lower end of the capmember 54, and said recess communicates with the interior of the collar53 which is merely a continuation of the bore 52 of the cylinder 5|,whereby said bore extends throughout the collar 53 and said cylinder. Aflexible diaphragm 58 which is provided with an axial depending stem 51is confined between the lower end of the cap and an internal shoulderwithin the collar 53 and is adapted to move within the chamber 55. Atransverse spider 58 is mounted within the bore 52 at the upper end ofthe cylinder 5i, and said spider has a central opening 58" through whichthe stem 51 extends. The spider 58 is formed with an axial, dependingcollar 59 which has its lower end closed and this.

closed end is formed with a small axial aperture 59'. The stem 51 passesthrough the collar 59 and aperture 59', and the lower end of said stemis secured to or made integral with an operating head which is providedwith a conical face 5| at its upper end.

A short sleeve 62, having an axial bore 83 which surrounds the lower endof the collar 5!, is mounted within the bore 52 of the cylinder 5|. Thesleeve 62 is slidable vertically upon the collar 5!, and has the lowerportion 01 its bore a reduced to form an internal, annular, bevelled Itis noted that the bore 50 of der. fined withinthe raceway iormed by theconical iace ti o! the head-t0, the bevelled shoulder 04 of the sleeve02, and the underside of the collar 5!. The lower end of the sleeve 62is confined between the spider and an axially disposed disk I whichengages the underside oi'the sleeve. The disk is screw-threadedto theupper end of an elongated valve stem 61 which stem extends downwardlywithin the bore 52 of the cylinder II and passes througha transversespider 68 which is mounted within the lower portion of said bore.

The lower end of the stem extends into the bore 59. of a cap member 89which is screwthreaded into the lower end of the cylinder 5| to completethesleeve 46. This member has a transverse partition 28 having anaxialreduced opening 29' through which the stem passes. The extremelower end 0! the stem carries the valve head 31 with its conical face 38and vertical grooves 39, and said head is movable in thebore.

below the partition, as in the first form. The

- spider I which is spaced above the partition, is

provided for the purpose of guiding the stem 81 in its verticalmovement. 1

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 7, the fluidpressure in the well casing is acting against the cross-sectional areaoi the head llto hold said head in seating engagement with the partition28', whereby admission of the lifting fluid to the well tubing isprevented. As the well liquid column builds up in the tubing, thepressure of said liquid acts through the bore 5. oi: the nipple 49,upwardly through the bore 52 of the cylinder 5|, through the openings inthe spider It into the interior of the collar 53, and finally againstthe cross-sectional area of the diaphragm 58. The area of the diaphragmis much greater than the cross-sectional area of the valve head 31 andtherefore the pressure of the liquid is acting against a greater areathan the area against which the lifting fluid is acting. Therefore assoon as the pressure of the liquid builds up to a predeterminedproportion oi. the lifting fluid pressure, the diaphragm 56, stem 51 andhead 80 will be moved upwardly within the sleeve 46. As this occurs thesleeve 52 will be moved'downwardly, since the collar 59 and spider 58are stationary and the head 80 is being moved upwardly because of itsconnection with the diaphragm through the stem 51.

Obviously, the upward movement of the head 60 will cause the ballbearings to move outwardly or radially and act against the conical face6|, the underside of the collar 59, and

against the bevelled shoulder 64 of the sleeve 52. Due to the inclinedface Si and shoulder 64 on the movable head and sleeve and also due tothe stationary collar 59, the radial movement of the balls 65 will movethe sleeve downwardly. This downward movement of the sleeve will forcethe disk 86, valve stem 61 and valve head 51 downwardly. As the head isunseated, the lifting fluid will flow upwardly through the bore 52,after which it will flow through the bore 50 01' the nipple 49 into thewell tubing, whereby the liquid within said tubing is lifted. The head31 will remain in this position until tuch time as the load is lightenedand the pressure upon the diaphragm 56 is decreased. When said pressuredecreases to a predetermined point, the lifting fluid pressure in thecasing acting against the underside of the head 31, will immediatelymove manner as. mm to is movable withinthe A plurality of ball bearingsl5 areconthe head to its seated position to cut of! further flow of thelifting fluid. The stem .1, disk I and sleeve 2 being moved upwardly,and the head in, stem 81 and diaphragm being moved downwardly. The ballbearings 85 will, of course,

' sary for the liquid to build upon excessive pressure within the tubingbefore the lifting fluid is admitted and, therefore, assurance is had atall times that the lifting fluid will be suflicient to raise the columnof liquid which has built up in the tubing.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flow device including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in atubing string and having a passage for establishing communicationbetween the interior and exterior of the tubing, means for controllingthe admittance of a lifting fluid to the tubing and exposed to thelifting fluid pressure, and a pressure responsive means havingconnection with said control means and exposed to the pressure in theinterior tubing, the connection between the pressure responsive meansand the control means being such that a movement of the first meansmoves the second means in the opposite direction to admit the liftingfluid into the tubing.

2. A flow device including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in awell tubing having a well influent inlet and extending axially of aassasos well casing, means forintroducing a lifting fluid into saidcasing, the body having a port establishing communication between theinterior of the well tubing and casing, a sleeve on the body having abore which communicates with the port, a diaphragm operable within theupper end of the bore and exposed to the pressure of the well influent,a valve head closing the lower end of said bore and exposed to thepressure of the liftingfluid, and means for connecting the di aphragmwith the head, the diaphragm having a greater cross-sectional area thanthe. valve head, whereby when the pressure of the influent reaches apredetermined proportion of the lifting fluid pressure, the diaphragm ismoved upwardly which forces the head downwardly to permit azflow oflifting fluid through the bore of the sleeve and into the tubing to liftthe influent therein.

3. A flow device including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in atubing which extends axially within a well casing, a sleeve removablymounted on the exterior of the body and having the upper end of its borecommunicating with the interior of the tubing with the lower end of itsbore communicating with the well casing, a valve mounted within thelower end of the sleeve for controlling the admission of a lifting ofthe fluid to the tubing and exposed to the lifting fluid pressure,,anupwardly extending stem on the valve, a yoke slidably mounted within thebore and engaging the stem, and a single bellows within the bore andsecured to the yoke, said bellows being of a larger cross-sectional areathan the valve and being exposed to the tubing pressure, whereby thevalve is actuated by the diflerential in pressures acting on the valveand bellows,

CHARLES S. CRICKMER. HANS C. GLIISCH.

